Pseudo-loaf food compositions

ABSTRACT

The invention provides pseudo-loaf food compositions comprising meat analog chunks and gravy, the gravy comprising a thickener selected from the group consisting of a gum present in the gravy in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3.0% of the gravy by weight, a starch present in the gravy in an amount from about 2.0 to about 9.0% of the gravy by weight, and combinations thereof. The food composition has a moisture content from about 60% to about 74% of the composition by weight and has a loaf-type structure. In an embodiment, the moisture content of the pseudo-loaf food composition is from about 67% to about 74% of the composition by weight. In addition, the invention provides methods of making pseudo-loaf food compositions and also provides blended food compositions comprising one or more pseudo-loaf compositions and one or more comestible ingredients compatible with the pseudo-loaf food compositions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/733079 filed Dec. 4, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to food compositions and particularly topseudo-loaf food compositions.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional loaf-type food products are typically coagulated emulsionssold in containers bearing the shape of the loaf-type food products.Loaf-type food products are commonly used as pet foods because they areeasily manufactured, readily digested by the animals, very palatable tothe animals, and readily formulated to contain necessary nutrients andtrace elements. A disadvantage is that these coagulated emulsions do nothave a striated and chunky meat-like appearance and friable texture.However, for pet foods, a meat-like appearance and texture can greatlyenhance consumer acceptability. Moreover, meat analog chunks formed byslicing a solid emulsion product into pieces can have a chewy texturewhich requires the animals to chew them and thereby provide theadvantage of being beneficial to the animals' teeth, and this texture islacking in known loaf-type food products.

There is, therefore, a need for new pseudo-loaf food compositions thathave the appearance of loaf-type food compositions but have the eatingcharacteristics of chunk-in-gravy food compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide new pseudo-loaffood compositions.

It is another object of the invention to provide new methods for makingnew pseudo-loaf food compositions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide blended foodcompositions comprising pseudo-loaf food compositions and one or moreother comestible ingredients.

One or more of these or other objects are achieved using novelpseudo-loaf food compositions comprising meat analog chunks and gravy,the gravy comprising a thickener selected from the group consisting of agum present in the gravy in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3.0% ofthe gravy by weight, a starch present in the gravy in an amount fromabout 2.0 to about 9.0% of the gravy by weight, and combinationsthereof; the food composition having a moisture content from about 60%to about 74% of the composition by weight and having a loaf-typestructure.

The novel pseudo-loaf food compositions can be made by forming meatanalog chunks from a solidified emulsion; and mixing the meat analogchunks with gravy comprising a thickener selected from the groupconsisting of a gum present in the gravy in an amount from about 0.5 toabout 3.0% of the gravy by weight a starch present in the gravy in anamount from about 2.0 to about 9.0% of the gravy by weight, andcombinations thereof, to form the pseudo-loaf food composition; thepseudo-loaf food composition having a moisture content from about 60% toabout 74% of the composition by weight and having a loaf-type structure.

The pseudo-loaf food compositions can be mixed or otherwise combinedwith one or more comestible ingredients to produce blended foodcompositions.

Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a pseudo-loaf food composition in a firstembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a pseudo-loaf food composition in a secondembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a pseudo-loaf food composition in a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of a pseudo-loaf food composition in a fourthembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

The term “food composition” means a product or composition that isintended for ingestion by an animal.

The term “pseudo-loaf food composition” means a food composition thathas the appearance of a loaf-type food composition but has the eatingcharacteristics of a chunk in gravy food composition. The terms“loaf-type food composition” and “loaf-type structure” mean a shaped ormolded mass of a food product. For example, the loaf-type food productcan be a shaped or molded mass of an animal food product such as anemulsified meat product. The term “meat analog chunks” means a pluralityof separate food bodies.

The term “animal” means any animal that could benefit from or enjoy theconsumption of the food compositions of the present invention, includinghuman, avian, bovine, canine, equine, feline, hicrine, lupine, murine,ovine, or porcine animals.

The term “companion animal” means domesticated animals such as cats,dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, mice, gerbils, horses,cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, and the like.

All percentages expressed herein are by weight of the total weight ofthe composition unless expressed otherwise.

Ranges are used herein as shorthand to avoid having to list and describeeach and every value within the range. Any appropriate value within therange can be selected, where appropriate, as the upper value, lowervalue, or the terminus of the range.

As used herein, the singular form of a word includes the plural, andvice versa, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, thereferences “a”, “an”, and “the” are generally inclusive of the pluralsof the respective terms. For example, reference to “a supplement”, “amethod”, or “a food” includes a plurality of such “supplements”,“methods”, or “foods.” Similarly, the words “comprise”, “comprises”, and“comprising” are to be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively.Likewise the terms “include”, “including” and “or” should all beconstrued to be inclusive, unless such a construction is clearlyprohibited from the context. Similarly, the term “examples,”particularly when followed by a listing of terms, is merely exemplaryand illustrative and should not be deemed to be exclusive orcomprehensive.

The methods and compositions and other advances disclosed herein are notlimited to particular methodologies, protocols, and reagents because, asthe skilled artisan will appreciate, they may vary. Further, theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only, and is not intended to, and does not, limit the scopeof that which is disclosed or claimed.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms, terms ofart, and acronyms used herein have the meanings commonly understood byone of ordinary skill in the art in the field(s) of the invention, or inthe field(s) where the term is used. Although any compositions, methods,articles of manufacture, or other means or materials similar orequivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of thepresent invention, the preferred compositions, methods, articles ofmanufacture, or other means or materials are described herein.

All patents, patent applications, publications, technical and/orscholarly articles, and other references cited or referred to herein arein their entirety incorporated herein by reference to the extent allowedby law. The discussion of those references is intended merely tosummarize the assertions made therein. No admission is made that anysuch patents, patent applications, publications or references, or anyportion thereof, are relevant, material, or prior art. The right tochallenge the accuracy and pertinence of any assertion of such patents,patent applications, publications, and other references as relevant,material, or prior art is specifically reserved.

The Invention

In one aspect, the invention provides pseudo-loaf food compositions. Thecompositions can comprise meat analog chunks and gravy in a loaf-typestructure that maintains a shape. The loaf-type structure can hold themeat analog chunks and the gravy together at ambient temperature andambient pressure. For example, the meat analog chunks and the gravy canbe held together in the pseudo-loaf food composition such that thecomposition has substantially no free meat analog chunks or gravyseparate from the loaf-type structure. In an embodiment, the pseudo-loaffood composition is friable such that the composition is easily brokenapart and readily consumed by the animal. In a preferred embodiment, thepseudo-loaf food compositions are designed for canned pet food. However,embodiments of the present invention can provide pseudo-loaf foodcompositions for human consumption.

In a preferred embodiment, the meat analog chunks can be irregularlysized such that the meat analog chunks comprise meat analog chunks ofdifferent shapes and/or different sizes. In an embodiment, the meatanalog chunks are present in an amount from about 40 to about 50% of thepseudo-loaf food composition by weight, and the gravy is present in anamount from about 40 to about 50% of the pseudo-loaf food composition byweight.

The meat analog chunks can be approximately evenly distributedthroughout the pseudo-loaf food composition, and the gravy can beapproximately evenly distributed throughout the pseudo-loaf foodcomposition. For example, the pseudo-loaf food composition can besubstantially uniform such that similarly sized sections of thecomposition have substantially the same amount of the meat analog chunksby weight and/or substantially the same amount of the gravy by weight.The meat analog chunks and gravy can be present throughout thepseudo-loaf food composition. For example, the pseudo-loaf foodcomposition preferably does not have visible layers.

In an embodiment, the pseudo-loaf food composition only comprises themeat analog chunks and the gravy. Alternatively, the pseudo-loaf foodcomposition can comprise other ingredients in addition to the meatanalog chunks and the gravy. For example, the pseudo-loaf foodcompositions can also comprise visible nutrition ingredients that can bein the form of pieces on the surfaces of and/or within the composition.Suitable visible nutrition ingredients include corn germ meal,dehydrated vegetables, fruits and grains. For example, the visiblenutrition ingredients can be spinach, carrots, cranberries orcombinations thereof.

The pseudo-loaf food compositions can have a moisture content from about60% to about 74% of the composition by weight. In a preferredembodiment, the moisture content is from about 67% to about 74% of thecomposition by weight.

In addition to the meat analog chunks and the gravy, the pseudo-loaffood compositions can comprise any suitable grain that adds a pleasanttaste and consistency to the composition. Grains can be added atconcentrations up to about 5% and more preferably about 1.5% of thepseudo-loaf food composition by weight. Suitable grains include, forexample, powdered barley, barley, rice, wild rice, brown rice, oats andmillet. Barley and wild rice are generally added to pseudo-loaf foodcompositions in dry form, whereas rice is generally precooked.

In addition to the meat analog chunks and the gravy, the pseudo-loaffood compositions can comprise vegetables providing at least one ofnutrition, color or aesthetic appearance to the composition. Suitablevegetables include, for example, potatoes, squash, zucchini, spinach,radishes, asparagus, tomatoes, cabbage, peas, carrots, spinach, corn,green beans, lima beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, celery,cucumbers, turnips, yams and combinations thereof. Vegetables can beadded to the meat analog chunks and/or the gravy in any suitable formincluding fresh, dried, freeze dried or frozen form. In compositionsthat contain green beans and corn, these ingredients are generally addedin frozen form.

In addition to the meat analog chunks and the gravy, the pseudo-loaffood compositions can comprise a vegetable oil, a pasta and/or a cheese.Suitable vegetable oils include soybean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil,sunflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, and the like.Examples of suitable pastas include rotini, macaroni, bow tie pasta,macaroni, fuisilli, tortellini, penne or other pasta types. Thevegetables, the grains, the vegetable oil, the pasta and/or the cheese,if any, can be added to the pseudo-loaf food compositions prior tocanning.

The shape of the pseudo-loaf food composition can be any suitable shapesuch as a cube, a cylinder and the like. In an embodiment, thepseudo-loaf food composition is deposited and stored in a container, andthe shape of the interior of the container is imparted on thepseudo-loaf composition.

The meat analog chunks in the pseudo-loaf food composition can be in theform of a meat emulsion that is sliced into separate pieces.Non-limiting examples of meat emulsions for use in the meat analogchunks of the compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,736,686;6,692,787; 6,379,738; 4,781,939, PCT Applications WO 2008085293 A2, andWO 2012057826 A1 herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.In some embodiments, the meat analog chunks in the pseudo-loaf foodcomposition can comprise a meat, such as skeletal tissue andnon-skeletal muscle from mammals, fowl and fish, and/or meatby-products, such as non-rendered clean parts, other than meat, derivedfrom slaughtered mammals, fowl, or fish. Thus, the term “meat” as usedherein refers to non-dehydrated meat and/or meat by-products, includingfrozen materials.

Non-limiting examples of suitable meats include poultry, beef, pork,lamb and fish, especially those types of meats suitable for pets. If thepseudo-loaf food composition is intended for human consumption, any ofthe meats and meat by-products used in the production of conventionalmeat emulsions may be used, including meats such as whole-carcass beefand mutton; lean pork trim; beef shanks; veal; beef and pork cheek meat;and meat by-products such as lips, tripe, hearts, and tongues. If theproduct is intended for use as a pet food product, the meat mix maycontain, in addition to the examples described above, any of the meatby-products approved for use in animal foods, such as mechanicallydeboned beef, chicken or fish; beef and pork liver; lungs; kidney; andthe like. In an embodiment, the meat is a combination of different typesof meats. The invention is not limited to a specific meat or combinationof meats, and any meat known to the skilled artisan for making a foodcomposition can be used.

The meat analog chunks can comprise other ingredients in addition to themeat. For example, additives used in conventional meat emulsion productsmay be included in the meat analog chunks by being mixed with the meatprior to and/or after emulsification. These additives include salt,spices, seasoning, sugar and the like in amounts sufficient to providethe product with desired taste characteristics.

One or more dry proteinaceous materials can be added to the meat priorto and/or after emulsification to improve emulsion stability andbinding, impart flavor, and/or reduce formulation costs. Non-limitingexamples of suitable dry proteinaceous materials are wheat gluten, soyflour, soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, egg albumin, nonfatdry milk and combinations thereof. The inclusion of the one or more dryproteinaceous materials in the meat emulsion is particularlyadvantageous in the production of compositions intended for use as a petfood because dry proteinaceous material enables the processor to usemeat having a protein to fat ratio and myosin to total protein ratiowhich would otherwise be of marginal acceptability for use in preparingthe meat analog chunks.

The gravy in the pseudo-loaf food composition comprises water and athickener that is at least one of a starch or a gum. If a gum is used,the gum can be present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 3.0% of thegravy, preferably from about 0.6% to about 2.5% of the gravy, and mostpreferably from about 0.7% to about 2% of the gravy by weight. If astarch is used, the starch can be present in an amount from about 2% toabout 9% of the gravy, preferably from about 2.5% to about 7% of thegravy, and most preferably from about 3% to about 5% of the gravy byweight. Examples of suitable gums are gellan gum, xanthan gum, locustbean gum, pectin, carrageenan (e.g., kappa, iota and/or lambda),cellulose gum, gum Arabic and the like, and combinations thereof.Suitable starches include native starches, starch esters, starch ethers,and modified starches, such as starch modified with erythorbic acid, andcombinations thereof. Starch sources can include wheat, barley, rice,tapioca, potato and corn, for example.

The gravy can also comprise dextrose and/or glycine and can also includea colorant as desired. Ingredients that add flavor and/or aroma to thegravy can also be included as desired. The starch can be a nativestarch, a modified starch or a combination thereof; and suitable gumsinclude kappa-carrageenan, locust bean gum, guar gum and xanthan gum.

In various embodiments, the meat analog chunks and/or the gravy cancomprise additional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids,nucleic acids, fillers, palatability enhancers, binding agents,flavorants, stabilizers, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, buffers,salts, coatings, condiments, preservatives, and the like known toskilled artisans. The additional ingredients may be included in the meatanalog chunks by being mixed with the meat prior to and/or afteremulsification.

Non-limiting examples of supplementary vitamins include vitamin A, anyof the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K,including various salts, esters, or other derivatives of the foregoing.Non-limiting examples of minerals include calcium, phosphorous,potassium, sodium, iron, chloride, boron, copper, zinc, magnesium,manganese, iodine, selenium, and the like. Additional dietarysupplements may also be included, for example, any form of niacin,pantothenic acid, inulin, folic acid, biotin, amino acids, and the like,as well as salts and derivatives thereof.

Stabilizers include substances that tend to increase the shelf life ofthe pseudo-loaf food composition such as preservatives, synergists andsequestrants, packaging gases, emulsifiers, thickeners, gelling agents,and plasticizers. Examples of emulsifiers and/or thickening agentsinclude gelatin, cellulose ethers, starch, starch esters, starch ethers,and modified starches.

Examples of suitable flavorants include yeast, tallow, rendered animalmeals (e.g., poultry, beef, lamb, pork), flavor extracts or blends(e.g., grilled beef), and the like. Suitable colorants that can be usedin the meat analog chunks and/or the gravy include FD&C colors, such asblue no. 1, blue no. 2, green no. 3, red no. 3, red no. 40, yellow no.5, yellow no. 6, and the like; natural colors, such as caramel coloring,annatto, chlorophyllin, cochineal, betanin, turmeric, saffron, paprika,lycopene, elderberry juice, pandan, butterfly pea and the like; titaniumdioxide; iron oxides; and any suitable food colorant known to theskilled artisan. Suitable spices that can be used in the meat analogchunks and/or the gravy include parsley, oregano, sage, rosemary, basil,thyme, chives and the like.

Selection of the additional ingredients and their amounts is known toskilled artisans. Specific amounts for each additional ingredient willdepend on a variety of factors such as the ingredient included in thecomposition; the species of animal; the animal's age, body weight,general health, sex, and diet; the animal's consumption rate; thepurpose for which the food composition is being administered to theanimal; and the like. Therefore, the component and ingredient amountsmay vary widely and may deviate from the preferred proportions describedherein.

The invention is based upon the discovery that the amount of the starchand/or gum in the gravy, as well as the moisture content of thepseudo-loaf food composition comprising the meat analog chunks and thegravy, can allow the food composition to have a loaf-type structurewhile having eating characteristics of a chunk-in-gravy composition.

As a result, an embodiment of the present invention provides apseudo-loaf food composition comprising meat analog chunks and gravy.The gravy comprises a thickener selected from the group consisting of agum present in the gravy in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3.0% ofthe gravy by weight, a starch present in the gravy in an amount fromabout 2.0 to about 9.0% of the gravy by weight, and combinationsthereof. The food composition has a moisture content from about 60% toabout 74% of the composition by weight and has a loaf-type structure.

The moisture content can be from about 67% to about 74% of the foodcomposition by weight. The meat analog chunks can comprise meat and canbe present in an amount from about 40% to about 50% of the foodcomposition by weight. The gravy can be present in an amount from about40% to about 50% of the food composition by weight. The food compositionof can be formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for ananimal, such as a companion animal that can be a dog or a cat.

When present, the gum can be in the gravy in an amount from about 0.7 toabout 2.0% of the gravy by weight. When present, the starch can be inthe gravy in an amount from about 3.0 to 5.0% of the gravy by weight.The food composition can further comprise at least one of a grain, avegetable, vegetable oil, a pasta or a cheese. The loaf-type structurecan be friable. In an embodiment, the starch is a starch modified witherythorbic acid, and/or the gum is xanthan gum.

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for makingpseudo-loaf food compositions. In an embodiment, the meat analog chunkscan be produced by emulsifying one or more of meat, dry proteinaceousmaterials, water and any additional ingredients. In an embodiment, theemulsion comprises a flour such that the emulsion is a dough. Examplesof suitable flours include wheat flour, amaranth flour, bean flour,white or brown rice flour, buckwheat flour, chestnut flour, chickpeaflour, potato flour, corn flour, nut flour grated from oily nuts, peaflour, peanut flour, rye flour, tapioca flour, soy flour and the like.The invention is not limited to a specific flour, and any flour known tothe skilled artisan for making a dough can be used.

The emulsion can be formed using equipment commonly used in meatemulsification such as a mixer, a blender, a grinder, a silent cutterchopper, an emulsion mill, and the like. The other ingredients of themeat analog chunks can be added to the meat prior to and/or afteremulsification of the meat. The emulsion can be formulated to containbetween about 45% to about 80% moisture by weight, with the moisturecontent preferably being controlled between about 49% to about 56% byweight of the emulsion.

The emulsion can then be run through a high speed emulsion mill in asecond emulsion step in which the emulsion is thermally gelled by rapidheating. The heated emulsion can then be cooled. For example, the heatedemulsion can be discharged form the mill into a heat exchanger to lowerthe temperature of the emulsion and to solidify the emulsion into astriated meat-like structure.

The striated meat-like structure can be sliced into pieces to create themeat analog chunks. For example, a dicer, a rotary cut-off knife, awater jet knife, a knife grid or the like may cut the product intopieces of desired sizes. In an embodiment, portions of the striatedmeat-like structure can be processed differently to create pieces ofdifferent sizes. For example, a portion of the striated meat-likestructure can be sliced to create meat analog chunks having a longestside shorter than a first predetermined length, and another portion ofthe striated meat-like structure can be sliced to create different meatanalog chunks having a longest side shorter than a second predeterminedlength. In such an embodiment, the larger meat analog chunks may assistthe pseudo-loaf food composition in maintaining a shape by entrappingthe smaller meat analog chunks within the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the gravy is prepared separately from themeat analog chunks. For example, prior to mixing the gravy with the meatanalog chunks, the gravy can be mixed by standard means well known inthe art. In an embodiment, the gravy can be formed by adding thenon-water components of the gravy to the water during continuous mixing,such as by a high speed mixer, and the gravy can be formed at ambienttemperatures. In another embodiment, the gravy can be formed by mixingthe non-water components of the gravy in a portion of the water atambient temperatures to form a slurry, heating the other portion of thewater, and then adding the slurry to the heated water during continuousstirring, such as by an agitator.

As set forth above, if a gum is used in the gravy, the gum can bepresent in an amount from about 0.5% to about 3.0% of the gravy,preferably from about 0.6% to about 2.5% of the gravy, and mostpreferably from about 0.7% to about 2% of the gravy by weight. If astarch is used in the gravy, the starch can be present in an amount fromabout 2% to about 9% of the gravy, preferably from about 2.5% to about7% of the gravy, and most preferably from about 3% to about 5% of thegravy by weight.

The meat analog chunks can be mixed with the gravy to form thepseudo-loaf composition. For example, the meat analog chunks can bemixed with the gravy by a mixer using slow agitation. In an embodiment,the additional ingredients, such as the vegetables, the grains, thevegetable oil, the pasta and/or the cheese, if any, can be added to thepseudo-loaf food compositions at this stage. After the meat analogchunks are evenly distributed in the gravy, the resulting pseudo-loaffood composition can have a moisture content from about 60% to about 74%of the composition by weight and preferably from about 67 to about 74%of the composition by weight.

Then the pseudo-loaf food compositions can be set in a container or,alternatively, pre-formed and inserted into a container. The containercan then be sealed, steamed, retorted and cooled. The can may beretorted at any suitable temperature for a suitable amount of time. Forexample, the can may be retorted at 121° C. for about 25 to about 50minutes. The can may be cooled to any suitable temperature. For example,the can may be cooled to a temperature of 20 to 35° C. In an embodiment,the can is cooled to 22 to 26° C. In a preferred embodiment, thecontainer is a plastic container or metal container such as a can.However, any container can be used to store the pseudo-loaf foodcomposition.

The pseudo-loaf food composition can maintain its shape during and afterremoval from the container. For example, the pseudo-loaf foodcomposition can be removed from the container by uncovering an openingon the top of the container and flipping the container over so that theopening of the container is on the bottom and closest to a servingapparatus, such as a bowl or a plate, and the pseudo-loaf foodcomposition can maintain its shape during this process. The pseudo-loaffood composition can be easily broken after removal from the containerby physically contacting the composition with an object such as autensil or teeth, but the composition can maintain its shape in theabsence of such physical contact.

In an embodiment, the pseudo-loaf food compositions are formulated toprovide “complete and balanced” nutrition for an animal, preferably acompanion animal, according to standards established by the Associationof American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). In another embodiment, thepseudo-loaf food composition is a pet food composition.

In various embodiments, the animal is a companion animal, preferably adog or a cat, most preferably a dog. In other embodiments, the animal isa human. When the animal is a human, food grade ingredients should beused, including food grade meats.

As a result, an embodiment of the present invention provides a methodfor making a pseudo-loaf food composition, the method comprising formingmeat analog chunks from a solidified emulsion; and mixing the meatanalog chunks with gravy comprising a thickener selected from the groupconsisting of a gum present in the gravy in an amount from about 0.5 toabout 3.0% of the gravy by weight, a starch present in the gravy in anamount from about 2.0 to about 9.0% of the gravy by weight, andcombinations thereof, to form the pseudo-loaf food composition; thepseudo-loaf food composition having a moisture content from about 60% toabout 74% of the composition by weight and having a loaf-type structure.

The method can comprise emulsifying meat in water to form a firstemulsion; performing a second emulsion step in which the first emulsionis thermally gelled by rapid heating to form a second emulsion; andlowering a temperature of the second emulsion to form the solidifiedemulsion. At least one of flour or dry proteinaceous material can beemulsified with the meat and the water to form the first emulsion. In anembodiment, the pseudo-loaf food composition is positioned in a can thatis then sealed, retorted and cooled.

The food composition can be formulated to provide complete and balancednutrition for an animal, such as a companion animal that can be a dog ora cat.

In another aspect, the invention provides blended food compositions. Theblended food compositions comprise one or more of any of the pseudo-loaffood compositions disclosed herein or made using the methods disclosedherein and one or more additional comestible ingredients.

In various embodiments, the comestible ingredients comprise meats,fruits, vegetables, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, thecomestible ingredients comprise extruded food compositions, includingkibbles and treats. In other embodiments, the comestible ingredientscomprise baked food compositions, including kibbles and treats.

In another aspect, the invention provides a means for communicatinginformation about or instructions for one or more of (1) instructionsfor feeding the pseudo-loaf food composition or the blended foodcomposition to animals, (2) describing the pseudo-loaf food compositionsor blended food compositions to a pet owner, (3) promoting the health orwellness of an animal, (4) combining the pseudo-loaf food composition orthe blended food composition with other pet foods, (5) combining thepseudo-loaf food composition or blended food composition with other foodsauces, (6) contact information for consumers to use if they have aquestion about the pseudo-loaf food composition, the blended foodcomposition or their use, or (7) nutritional information about thepseudo-loaf food composition or the blended food composition. Usefulinstructions can include feeding amounts and frequency. The instructionscan be suited for specific types of animals as well (e.g., cats, dogs,or humans). The communication means is useful for instructing on thebenefits of using the present invention and communicating the approvedmethods for feeding the food compositions to an animal.

The means comprises one or more of a physical or electronic document,digital storage media, optical storage media, audio presentation,audiovisual display, or visual display containing the information orinstructions. Preferably, the means is selected from the groupconsisting of a displayed website, a visual display kiosk, a brochure, aproduct label, a package insert, an advertisement, a handout, a publicannouncement, an audiotape, a videotape, a DVD, a CD-ROM, a computerreadable chip, a computer readable card, a computer readable disk, a USBdevice, a FireWire device, a computer memory, and any combinationthereof.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a package comprising apseudo-loaf food composition of the present invention and a labelaffixed to the package containing a an indicia selected from the groupconsisting of a word, words, a picture, a design, an acronym, a slogan,a phrase, another device, and combinations thereof. The indicia canindicate that the contents of the package contain a pseudo-loaf foodcomposition with beneficial properties such as shelf stability,desirable texture, desirable appearance, and lack of preservatives.Typically, such device can include the words “food compositions foranimals” or an equivalent expression printed on the package. Any packageor packaging material suitable for containing the composition is usefulin the invention, e.g., bag, box, bottle, can, pouch, and the likemanufactured from paper, plastic, foil, metal, and the like. In apreferred embodiment, the package contains a food composition adaptedfor a particular animal such as a human, canine, or feline, asappropriate for the label, preferably a companion animal foodcomposition for dogs or cats. In a preferred embodiment, the package isa retortable can or pouch comprising a pseudo-loaf food composition ofthe present invention.

EXAMPLES

The invention can be further illustrated by the following examples,although it will be understood that these examples are included merelyfor purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention unless otherwise specifically indicated.

Example 1

One hundred (100) lbs of meat analog chunks were produced withingredients in the proportions shown in Table 1. The frozen meat andmeat by-products mixture (65.5 lbs) was emulsified with an emulsion millduring which the temperature of the emulsified mixture was raised to100° F. This meat emulsion was then blended with the remainingingredients colors, flavors vitamin and minerals wheat gluten and soy(Table 1) in a mixer and mixed to form a dough. This dough was thenpumped through a Siefer Mill (Siefer Machinenfabrik GmbH & Co.) toachieve a discharge temperature of 320° F. and the pressure maintainedbelow 100 psi. The hot dough mixture was then pumped through a heatexchanger, where the product was cooled from 320° F. to just above theboiling point of water. The material exiting the heat exchanger wastexturized into slabs of a fibrous, meat analog product of moisture52.1% by weight. 50 lbs of meat analog slabs were then diced using anUrschel model M dicer and an Urschel Comitrol dicer, to obtainirregularly shaped meat analog chunks of longest sides being less than 5mm. The other 50 lbs were diced to obtain irregular shaped pieces withlongest sides 6-13 mm.

TABLE 1 Meat Analog Chunk 1 INGREDIENTS Lbs Frozen Meat & MeatBy-Products 65.5 Wheat Gluten, Vital 27.0 Titanium Dioxide 1.0 SoyProtein Concentrate 1.1 Mineral Premix 2.5 Flavor 1.0 Choline Chloride0.2 Vitamin Premix 0.1 Taurine 0.23 Water 1.37 TOTAL 100

Example 2

One hundred (100) lbs of meat analog chunks were produced withingredients in the proportions shown in Table 2. The frozen meat andmeat by-products mixture (73.3 lbs) was emulsified with an emulsion millduring which the temperature of the emulsified mixture was raised to100° F. This meat emulsion was then blended with the remainingingredients colors, flavors vitamin and minerals wheat gluten and soy(Table 2) in a mixer and mixed to form a dough. This dough was thenpumped through a Siefer Mill (Siefer Machinenfabrik GmbH & Co.) toachieve a discharge temperature of 215° F. The hot emulsified dough wasthen pumped through a tube, where it set to form a layered meat analog.As the meat analog exited the tube it was cut into large meat analogchunks of moisture 54.1% by weight. The meat analog chunks were thendiced using an Urschel model M dicer and an Urschel Comitrol dicer, toobtain irregularly shaped meat analog chunks of longest sides being lessthan 10 mm.

TABLE 2 Meat Analog Chunk 2 INGREDIENTS Lbs Frozen Meat & MeatBy-Products 73.3 Wheat Gluten, Vital 17.1 Soy Protein Concentrate 2.5Soy Flour 3.7 Tricalcium Phosphate 0.65 Titanium Dioxide 0.58 MineralPremix 1.3 Flavor 0.64 Vitamin Premix 0.07 Taurine 0.16 TOTAL 100

Example 3

A 100 lbs batch of gum gravy was produced using the formula shown inTable 3. 97.33 lbs water at 77° F. was weighed out into a stainlesssteel tank. The dry ingredients—xanthan gum, flavor, and salt were addedslowly to water with continuous mixing by a portable high speed mixerand mixing stopped when all solids were dissolved.

TABLE 3 Gum Gravy INGREDIENTS Lbs Xanthan Gum 0.8 Flavor 1.02 Salt, NonIodized 0.85 Water 97.33 TOTAL 100

Example 4

One hundred (100) lbs of starch gravy was produced using the formulashown in Table 4. A slurry was prepared by blending the dry ingredients(starch, flavor, and salt) in 18 lbs of water at ambient (77° F.)temperature. The remaining 75.6 lbs of water was heated to 205° F. Theambient slurry preparation was then added to the heated water withcontinuous stirring by an agitator forming the gravy. The gravy wasstirred for an additional 30 seconds until it thickened.

TABLE 4 Starch Gravy INGREDIENTS Lbs Corn Starch Modified with 4.0Erythorbic Acid Flavor 1.0 Salt, Non Iodized 0.9 Color 0.5 Water 93.6TOTAL 100

Example 5

One hundred (100) lbs of pseudo-loaf was made by combining 51.6 lbs ofmeat chunk 1 (Example 1, <5 mm) with 46.7 lbs of gum gravy (Example 3)in a mixer with slow agitation and followed with 1.7 lbs of a condimentmix comprising dehydrated cheese, vegetable pieces, spinach flakes,pasta, and grains (Table 5). Moisture was taken when the solids wereevenly distributed in the gravy −72.7% by weight (target=67-74%). Themixture was the filled into 85 gm cans and each can hermetically sealed.The sealed cans were then retorted at 121° C. for 50 minutes after whichthey were cooled to ambient temperature. When the cooled retortedproduct was emptied from the can, the meat analog chunks were heldtogether with the appearance of a traditional canned loaf product(FIG. 1) without any free gravy or gel. Unlike a loaf which is pasty,chunk-in-gravy with free flowing liquid that can be messy, thepseudo-loaf was friable and easily broken apart and readily consumed bythe animal.

TABLE 5 Pseudo-loaf Product with Gum Gravy INGREDIENTS Lbs Meat AnalogChunk 1 51.60 Pasta/Grains/Dried Vegetables/ 1.40 Dried Cheese MixDehydrated Spinach 0.3 Gum Gravy 46.7 TOTAL 100

Example 6

One hundred (100) lbs of pseudo-loaf was made by combining 53.1 lbs ofmeat chunk 1 (Example 1, <13 mm) with 46.7 lbs of gum gravy (Example 3)in a mixer with slow agitation and followed with 0.3 lbs dehydratedspinach flakes (Table 6). Moisture was taken when the solids were evenlydistributed in the gravy −72.8% by weight (target=67-74%). The mixturewas the filled into 85 gm cans and each can hermetically sealed. Thesealed cans were then retorted at 121° C. for 50 minutes after whichthey were cooled to ambient temperature. When the cooled retortedproduct was emptied from the can, the meat analog chunks were heldtogether with the large meat analog chunk pieces and without any freegravy or gel (FIG. 2). The pseudo-loaf was friable and easily brokenapart and readily consumed by the animal.

TABLE 6 Finished Product Using Gum Gravy INGREDIENTS % Meat Analog Chunk1 53.0 Spinach (dried herbs) 0.3 Gum Gravy 46.7 TOTAL 100

Example 7

One hundred (100) lbs of pseudo-loaf was made by combining 42.5 lbs ofmeat chunk 1 (Example 1, <5 mm) with 49 lbs of starch gravy (Example 4)in a mixer with slow agitation and followed by carrot, spinach flakes,toasted barley, green peas, rice, and canola oil as shown in Table 7.Moisture was taken when the solids were evenly distributed in the gravy−67.7% by weight (target=67-74%). The mixture was the filled into 85 gmcans and each can hermetically sealed. The sealed cans were thenretorted at 121° C. for 50 minutes after which they were cooled toambient temperature. When the cooled retorted product was emptied fromthe can, the meat analog chunks were held together with the large meatanalog chunk pieces and without any free gravy or gel (FIG. 3). Unlike aloaf which is pasty, chunk-in-gravy with free flowing liquid that can bemessy, the pseudo-loaf was friable and easily broken apart and readilyconsumed by the animal.

TABLE 7 Finished Product Using Starch Gravy INGREDIENTS % Meat AnalogChunk 1 42.5 Carrot (dehydrated) 1.5 Spinach (flakes) 0.3 Toasted Barley1.5 Green Peas (dried) 1.2 Rice (parboiled) 1.0 Canola Oil 3.0 StarchGravy 49.0 TOTAL 100

Example 8

One hundred (100) lbs of pseudo-loaf was made by combining 51.5 lbs ofmeat chunk 2 (Example 2) with 46.8 lbs of gum gravy (Example 3) in amixer with slow agitation and followed with 1.4 lbs pasta, and 0.3 lbsof spinach flakes (Table 8). Moisture was taken when the solids wereevenly distributed in the gravy −72.2% by weight (target=67-74%). Themixture was the filled into 85 gm cans and each can hermetically sealed.The sealed cans were then retorted at 121° C. for 50 minutes after whichthey were cooled to ambient temperature. When the cooled retortedproduct was emptied from the can, the meat analog chunks were heldtogether with the appearance of a traditional canned loaf product (FIG.4) without any free gravy or gel. Unlike a loaf which is pasty,chunk-in-gravy with free flowing liquid that can be messy, thepseudo-loaf was friable and easily broken apart and readily consumed bythe animal.

TABLE 8 Finished Product Using Starch Gravy INGREDIENTS % Meat AnalogChunk 2 51.5 Pasta 1.4 Spinach (dehydrated) 0.3 Gum Gravy 46.8 TOTAL 100

Example 9

One hundred (100) lbs of pseudo-loaf was made by combining 54 lbs ofmeat chunk 1 (Example 1) with 46 lbs of gum gravy (Example 3) in a mixer(Table 9) with slow agitation. Moisture was taken when the solids wereevenly distributed in the gravy −72.6% by weight (target=67-74%). Themixture was the filled into 85 gm cans and each can hermetically sealed.The sealed cans were then retorted at 121° C. for 50 minutes after whichthey were cooled to ambient temperature. When the cooled retortedproduct was emptied from the can, the meat analog chunks were heldtogether with the appearance of a traditional canned loaf productwithout any free gravy or gel. The pseudo-loaf was friable and easilybroken apart and readily consumed by the animal.

TABLE 9 Finished Product - Meat analog chunks and Gum Gravy OnlyINGREDIENTS % Meat Analog Chunk 1 54 Gum Gravy 46 TOTAL 100

Example 10

One hundred (100) lbs of pseudo-loaf was made by combining 51 lbs ofmeat chunk 1 (Example 1) with 49 lbs of starch gravy (Example 4) in amixer (Table 10) with slow agitation. Moisture was taken when the solidswere evenly distributed in the gravy −72.1% by weight (target=67-74%).The mixture was the filled into 85 gm cans and each can hermeticallysealed. The sealed cans were then retorted at 121° C. for 50 minutesafter which they were cooled to ambient temperature. When the cooledretorted product was emptied from the can, the meat analog chunks wereheld together with the appearance of a traditional canned loaf productwithout any free gravy or gel. The pseudo-loaf was friable and easilybroken apart and readily consumed by the animal.

TABLE 10 Finished Product - Meat analog chunks and Starch Gravy OnlyINGREDIENTS % Meat Analog Chunk 1 51 Starch Gravy 49 TOTAL 100

Example 11

One hundred (100) lbs of pseudo-loaf was made by combining 54 lbs ofmeat chunk 2 (Example 2) with 46 lbs of gum gravy (Example 3) in a mixer(Table 11) with slow agitation. Moisture was taken when the solids wereevenly distributed in the gravy −73.6% by weight (target=67-74%). Themixture was the filled into 85 gm cans and each can hermetically sealed.The sealed cans were then retorted at 121° C. for 50 minutes after whichthey were cooled to ambient temperature. When the cooled retortedproduct was emptied from the can, the meat analog chunks were heldtogether with the appearance of a traditional canned loaf productwithout any free gravy or gel. The pseudo-loaf was friable and easilybroken apart and readily consumed by the animal.

TABLE 11 Finished Product - Meat analog chunks and Gum Gravy OnlyINGREDIENTS % Meat Analog Chunk 2 54 Gum Gravy 46 TOTAL 100

Example 12

One hundred (100) lbs of pseudo-loaf was made by combining 51 lbs ofmeat chunk 2 (Example 2) with 49 lbs of starch gravy (Example 4) in amixer (Table 12) with slow agitation. Moisture was taken when the solidswere evenly distributed in the gravy −73.1% by weight (target=67-74%).The mixture was the filled into 85 gm cans and each can hermeticallysealed. The sealed cans were then retorted at 121° C. for 50 minutesafter which they were cooled to ambient temperature. When the cooledretorted product was emptied from the can, the meat analog chunks wereheld together with the appearance of a traditional canned loaf productwithout any free gravy or gel. The pseudo-loaf was friable and easilybroken apart and readily consumed by the animal.

TABLE 12 Finished Product - Meat analog chunks and Starch Gravy OnlyINGREDIENTS % Meat Analog Chunk 2 51 Starch Gravy 49 TOTAL 100

In the specification, there have been disclosed typical preferredembodiments of the invention. Although specific terms are employed, theyare used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. The scope of the invention is set forth in the claims.Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pseudo-loaf food composition comprising: meatanalog chunks and gravy, the gravy comprising a thickener selected fromthe group consisting of a gum present in the gravy in an amount fromabout 0.5 to about 3.0% of the gravy by weight; a starch present in thegravy in an amount from about 2.0 to about 9.0% of the gravy by weight;and combinations thereof; and the food composition having a moisturecontent from about 60% to about 74% of the food composition by weightand having a loaf-type structure.
 2. The food composition of claim 1wherein the moisture content is from about 67% to about 74% of the foodcomposition.
 3. The food composition of claim 1 wherein the meat analogchunks comprise meat.
 4. The food composition of claim 1 wherein themeat analog chunks are present in an amount from about 40% to about 50%of the food composition.
 5. The food composition of claim 1 wherein thegravy is present in an amount from about 40% to about 50% of the foodcomposition.
 6. The food composition of claim 1 formulated to providecomplete and balanced nutrition for an animal.
 7. The food compositionof claim 6 wherein the animal is a companion animal.
 8. The foodcomposition of claim 7 wherein the animal is a dog or a cat.
 9. The foodcomposition of claim 1 wherein the gum is present in the gravy in anamount from about 0.7 to about 2.0% of the gravy.
 10. The foodcomposition of claim 1 wherein the starch is present in the gravy in anamount from about 3.0 to 5.0% of the gravy.
 11. The food composition ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one of a grain, a vegetable,vegetable oil, a pasta or a cheese.
 12. The food composition of claim 1wherein the loaf-type structure is friable.
 13. The food composition ofclaim 1 wherein the starch is a starch modified with erythorbic acid.14. The food composition of claim 1 wherein the gum is xanthan gum. 15.A method for making a pseudo-loaf food composition, the methodcomprising: forming meat analog chunks from a solidified emulsion; andmixing the meat analog chunks with gravy comprising a thickener selectedfrom the group consisting of a gum present in the gravy in an amountfrom about 0.5 to about 3.0% of the gravy by weight, a starch present inthe gravy in an amount from about 2.0 to about 9.0% of the gravy byweight, and combinations thereof, to form the pseudo-loaf foodcomposition; the pseudo-loaf food composition having a moisture contentthat is from about 60% to about 74% of the composition by weight andhaving a loaf-type structure.
 16. The method of claim 15 comprising:emulsifying meat in water to form a first emulsion; performing a secondemulsion step in which the first emulsion is thermally gelled by rapidheating to form a second emulsion; and lowering a temperature of thesecond emulsion to form the solidified emulsion.
 17. The method of claim16 wherein at least one of flour or dry proteinaceous material isemulsified with the meat and the water to form the first emulsion. 18.The method of claim 15 comprising positioning the pseudo-loaf foodcomposition in a can and then sealing, retorting and cooling the can.19. The method of claim 15 wherein the food composition is formulated toprovide complete and balanced nutrition for an animal.
 20. The method ofclaim 19 wherein the animal is a companion animal.
 21. The method ofclaim 20 wherein the companion animal is a dog or a cat.